'Meal Provision After Election' Sangcheol Lee, Gokseong County Governor, Denies Charges in Appeal Trial

Former Gokseong County Governor Lee Sang-cheol, who was fined 900,000 won in the first trial for providing meals to election campaign workers as a reward for their election victory, denied the charges again in the appeal trial.

The 1st Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Park Hye-seon) held the first appeal trial session on the 31st for Governor Lee, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Governor Lee was prosecuted for providing meals worth approximately 5.5 million won to 69 people, including election campaign workers, at a Korean beef specialty restaurant in Gokseong County, Jeollanam-do, on June 8 of last year.

At that time, a friend of Governor Lee paid the bill with a credit card, but the election staff staged the scene by placing a donation box and falsely collecting the meal expenses, even taking photos to create the appearance of fundraising.

Lee’s defense attorney argued, "The meal was arranged to appreciate their hard work after the election ended," and added, "It is difficult to see any connection to election campaigning. It does not violate social norms."

He further stated, "Current law does not clearly specify whether meals can be provided after the election has concluded."

However, they revealed that they are considering whether to withdraw the appeal brief submitted on the grounds of legal misunderstanding.

Since Lee was sentenced to a position-retaining type penalty in the first trial, it appears that they believe adopting a more reserved attitude rather than engaging in fierce legal battles may lead to a more favorable outcome.

Even if the appeal is withdrawn, the court can rule on the legal misunderstanding ex officio.

There are a total of five defendants indicted together, and three related to the election campaign have been recommended fines ranging from 5 million to 7 million won by the prosecution. The sentencing procedure for Governor Lee and two others will proceed later.

The second trial session will be held at 2:10 p.m. on the 18th of next month in the same courtroom.